Charity Is Not Enough

When ordinary people are finding life increasingly difficult, those of us who may still be relatively comfortable or wealthy should care and give charity. Compassion is a sign of kindness and humanity, while charity is also an expression of a believer’s gratitude to Allah, the provider of sustenance.

“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour]; but if you deny [My favour], then indeed, My punishment is severe.’” (Qur’an, Ibrahim 14:7)

Yet it seems increasingly difficult to extend such charitable concern to the growing number of people in need, especially as the rising cost of living also puts pressure on our own finances.

According to a 2026 World Bank data report, Indonesia’s poverty rate has reached 64.2%. As a result, despite its abundant natural resources, Indonesia ranks fourth in poverty among 11 ASEAN countries (nasionalkontan.co.id, 31 August 2028).

In addition, although Statistics Indonesia (BPS) says the country’s poverty rate fell in 2026, it also acknowledges that the gap in spending between urban and rural groups has widened. Between September 2025 and March 2026, the inequality measure rose by 0.005 points (finance.detik.com, 5 August 2026).

So what should we do? Should we continue giving charity to ease other people’s hardship and receive increased sustenance from Allah? If so, are our intentions truly sincere, or could they instead bring punishment?

These questions need answers so that we do not act with the wrong intentions. If we make that mistake, its harmful consequences may affect our lives in this world, and we will also be held accountable in the blazing fires of hell.

Understanding the meaning and root causes

The answer to this problem requires two things. First, we must analyse and eliminate the root causes of hardship so that similar difficulties do not recur. Second, we must understand the meaning of human compassion and genuine gratitude, so that we do not act wrongly in our lives.

The root causes of hardship are not always simply tests from Allah that we must accept with patience and sincerity. They may instead stem from human oppression, which must be stopped.

“Whatever misfortune befalls you is because of what your own hands have earned, and He pardons much.” (Qur’an, Ash-Shura 42:30)

Consider how the capitalist ideology embraced by those in power promotes taxes as a source of state revenue. In practice, the taxes collected place increasing pressure on society, including the wealthy, middle classes and poor.

Moreover, under the capitalist political model, which sees the government merely as the state’s administrator, its policies fall far short of its duty to the people. For example, rather than serving all citizens, the state is shown to prioritise those with business interests. When businesspeople control market prices, the state tends merely to supervise transactions instead of regulating prices in a way that allows merchants to prosper without leaving the public in limbo.

Compassion, meanwhile, is a state of mind that enables someone to sense another person’s circumstances, thoughts and feelings. This leads them to make a serious effort to help and protect that person because they can identify with their situation.

When someone is experiencing financial hardship, assistance need not be limited to giving money. It can also include encouragement to ease emotional burdens, being physically present to offer support, and devising a plan to resolve the problem. In other words, compassionate help takes many forms.

In Islam, gratitude is not merely praise or thanks to Allah, the provider of sustenance. It is more fundamentally an expression of faith and obedience to Him, since everything He provides is an opportunity to follow His sharia.

As Ibn al-Qayyim said: “The essence of gratitude is servitude to Allah. Gratitude is manifested when the tongue praises and acknowledges Him. In the heart, it gives rise to awareness, testimony and love. In the limbs, it is expressed through submission and obedience.”

It is therefore unsurprising that Abdurrahman bin Auf’s gratitude for his wealth was expressed not only through charity to the poor. He also gave generously to fund jihad against the oppression of the Quraysh disbelievers. Furthermore, he was willing to devote his energy to preaching and jihad, showing gratitude for the blessings of health and intelligence.

True compassion and gratitude

Therefore, in a life beset by dangerous challenges, true compassion is not simply regular financial charity, which provides only temporary relief. Such giving alone cannot ensure that hardship is fully overcome.

Concrete action is needed to eliminate the root causes and systematically change the state towards a path of truth founded on Islam. Only by implementing Islamic teachings, the article argues, can gratitude and compassion extend from individuals to the level of government.

For example, under rules ensuring independent management of the natural resources Allah has placed in the country, the government would understand how to be grateful. It would manage those resources independently instead of being tempted by investment offers from capitalist businesspeople that could take away the public’s shared ownership rights.

Islamic teachings on allocating funds from the Baitul Mal would also ensure that state assistance reached those who needed it. One example is the provision of free public education and healthcare. This, the article says, would give both rich and poor peace of mind and reduce financial pressure. Any remaining financial difficulties might then be limited to relatively modest day-to-day expenses.

Even if, by Allah’s will, a wealthy person became poor or a poor person became rich, they would still be able to show gratitude through obedience to Allah, rather than spending their time pursuing wealth.

In conclusion, the article maintains that genuine compassion and gratitude can only be achieved through the comprehensive implementation of Islamic ideology. Individuals would learn sincerity, while the state would work to build a strong social environment rather than distance itself from the people. In this way, prosperity and peace of mind could truly be realised.